Talia Delman, NUR ’26, Columbus, OH
This summer I had the opportunity to work as a Student Nurse Intern at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. I was paired with a nurse preceptor and worked her full schedule on 9 East, a medical-surgical floor that also had step-down beds for patients who needed closer monitoring. Most of the patients were being treated for gastrointestinal and liver conditions, which exposed me to a wide variety of cases. Spending time on both med-surg and step-down assignments gave me perspective on how patient acuity shapes the pace and approach to care. I also learned what it feels like to work the rhythm of a full nursing week, with long but meaningful twelve-hour shifts.
What stood out most to me was the chance to see how much of nursing happens beyond the bedside. I observed how my preceptor coordinated with physicians, families, and the broader care team while still keeping her patients at the center of everything she did. It became clear to me how much of a nurse’s role is about communicating effectively and keeping care moving forward even when situations are complex. Watching how she balanced technical skill with compassion helped me understand that strong nursing is built on both clinical knowledge and the ability to connect with people in moments of uncertainty.
Outside of the hospital, I also had the chance to experience living in New York City for the first time. Balancing a demanding work schedule with the energy of the city taught me a lot about independence and adaptability. Navigating the city and finding balance outside of work all became part of the learning process. Living in such a fast-paced environment while working in an equally fast-paced hospital setting gave me a much deeper sense of confidence in my ability to handle new challenges.
By the end of the summer, I felt more comfortable in the hospital and I came away with a deeper appreciation for the nurse’s role as both a caregiver and a coordinator. This experience not only clarified the kind of nurse I hope to become, but also gave me valuable personal growth from living and working in a new city. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from the dedicated nurses at Mount Sinai and for the support that made this experience possible.
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2025 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here
